Forget the Corners of Canal Street!
By Jaiana Casanova
Reviewed by Kyu Hee Chu
Who says that you can only find counterfeits on Canal Street? The internet is taking over the sale of counterfeit goods, and luxury brands are no strangers to this situation.
Just recently Chanel filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement and cyber piracy against 399 websites, joining names like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton who in the last few months have filed suits against hundreds of online retailers of counterfeit goods.
Fake Fakes
Reviewed by Kyu Hee Chu
Feign even the slightest interest in the goods and wares being hawked along Canal Street in Chinatown and one is likely to wind up in a conversation with the vendor hushed nearly to a whisper. Many tourists and thrifty New Yorkers alike know the drill—the exchange bargained for is often not exactly legal.
While the quality and authenticity of Chinatown’s merchandise is oft-debated, a recent raid on a funeral supplies store shed light on a new facet of the grey-area marketplace: what protection is afforded to merchandise that is clearly fake? As in, flimsy cardboard and paper versions of luxury goods designed specifically for traditional Chinese funeral burnings as symbolic gifts to the deceased. Fakes that are supposed to be fake.
Shapewear Squabble Settles
By Alison Parker
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
Maidenform's Flexees tank (left) and Yummie Tummie's strappy tank (right)
Ladies, let’s admit, we all love shapewear–it fools people into thinking we have a toned and taut tummy, and may actually be the greatest clothing invention ever. Times Three Clothier feels the same way; the company obtained a patent over its “Yummie Tummie Strappy Tank” in December 2009. The patent covers the design of a form-fitting tank top.
The slimming and smoothing undergarment has proved to be quite the profitable wardrobe innovation–since its debut, the Yummie Tummie shapewear line has enjoyed sales in the $8 million range. Its success has been so immense that another undergarment company, Maidenform, caught wind of the cash cows and decided to make their own version of the trickery tanks. Times Three then contacted Maidenform about its multimillion dollar “Fat Free Dressing by Flexees” line because it believed that these shapewear tanks infringed on their design patent. But Maidenform didn’t think so–and the back and forth battle began.
Relearning Patent Law
By Kyu Hee Chu
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
The law is constantly evolving. Sounds like something you would hear in a first-year law school class, but it’s true. If you are a lawyer practicing patent law, you probably have been re-familiarized with that concept very recently – as a result of the America Invents Act. Just last Friday (September 16, 2011), President Obama signed the patent reform bill into law, and now it’s time to learn the new rules.
Out of the many changes that the act calls for, some of the “major” changes that have been receiving much attention are:
Don’t Mess With the Gap, Inc.!
By Maria Cheung
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
We all know the Gap for its traditional and affordable preppy clothes. The brand has dressed its customers since 1969, providing them with a stable source of jeans, crisp button down shirts and stylish t-shirts, among other fashionable staples. I personally love their super-soft pajamas. The Gap’s longevity and devoted customers have allowed the brand to become a commonly recognized producer of unique yet classic clothing garments. Recently however, the Gap, which is owned by its parent company Gap. Inc. (“Gap”), felt that its beloved trademark was threatened by G.A.P. Adventures Inc. (“G.A.P.”), a travel agency. As a result, Gap sued G.A.P. for trademark infringement on its name, alleging consumer confusion as to the clothing brand’s relation to the travel agency.
Marilyn’s New Makeover
By Maria Cheung
By Jennifer Williams
Almost 50 years after the death of fashion and film icon, Marilyn Monroe, her name and likeness will be used to market a range of new products, including apparel, handbags, fragrances and home goods. Marilyn’s name and image currently graces numerous cheesy souvenirs, which are sold in Times Square and other tourist destinations, worldwide. According to the New York Post, Jamie Salter of Authentic Brands Group partnered with media company NECA to acquire Marilyn’s estate. Salter wants to ultimately eliminate the Marilyn-themed trinkets and souvenirs sold in tourist destinations.
“We’re not really interested in the trinkets and trash,” Salter told The Post. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good business — calendars, posters and shot glasses — but that’s not what we want to do with Marilyn Monroe.”
Defamation Dispute Likely to Dissipate
By Alison Parker
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
Maria Menounos may be treading hot water by accusing her former stylist, Lindsay Albanese, of stealing designer duds from her–unless the apparel aficionado really did give herself the five-finger discount on a few fashions. Albanese filed a defamation lawsuit against the former Access Hollywood host in Los Angeles Superior Court over a few catty remarks made at a lavish gift suite party in Hollywood. The complaint alleges that at the party Menounos demanded to speak to Albanese and loudly claimed that “Dolce and Gabbana won’t lend to [her] anymore because they said [Albanese] never returns anything.” Menounos also allegedly told other people that the stylist was stealing from her as well and as a result Albanese has lost clients. It seems to me that Albanese’s defamation action against the hottie TV host is likely to fizzle out, and here’s why:
Counterfeits: More Trouble than They Are Worth
By Maria Cheung
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
According to a Women’s Wear Daily article, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized 16 domain names of websites selling counterfeit clothes and accessories on the internet. Undercover federal officials purchased counterfeit items including shoes, boots, sneakers, jackets, shirts, hats and sunglasses from the suspected online retailers. The thirteen brands that fell victim to the counterfeiters included: Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Lacoste, New Era, Nike, The North Face, Oakley, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Sons of Anarchy, Tory Burch and UGG.
“American business is under assault from counterfeiters,” said ICE director John Morton. “These counterfeits represent a triple threat by delivering shoddy and sometimes dangerous goods into commerce, by funding organized criminal activities, and by denying Americans good-paying jobs.”
Nicolette Sheridan v. Marc Cherry
By Maria Cheung
Reviewed by Jennifer Williams
Any fan of ABC’s Desperate Housewives remembers Edie Britt’s tragic death a few seasons ago. Edie escaped being strangled by her maniac of a husband and subsequently survived a car accident only to be electrocuted when she fatally stepped out of her car into a puddle on the street. Unbeknownst to Edie, her car had severed a power line in the accident. Edie (played by Nicolette Sheridan) was the character we loved to hate through the years. She was known to get around in the neighborhood, which she proudly accepted. However as the show progressed and we watched the housewives grow and change, we learned to love Edie. She made many mistakes and was not the most conventional housewife, but she had a genuine heart. Deep down, she was a woman who simply wanted to find true love and to be accepted.
The Non-Star Treatment
Reviewed by Kyu Hee Chu
We all know movie stars get certain things in life for free. Complimentary service, award show SWAG, five-star hospitality—all just perks of the film industry. But what happens when those in the limelight are not only receiving freebies, but also (allegedly) getting paid at the expense of the playmakers behind the scenes?
Film investors, like any project financiers, serve as the bankroll and lifeblood for a film. Sure, movie stars can fill the seats and make or break a film, but investors are the ones who fuel the production and distribution processes well before the first dollars ever flow out of the pockets of the popcorn-toting masses.
